Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Introducing, Missing In Action, by Barbara Janet Cooper and Brittany Jean Schonert. A Sequel to Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses.

Christian Children’s book.

Jadon and Gabe are up to their shenanigans once again. Miniature horse, Jadon, is the narrator for the action packed, engaging chapters of Missing in Action.

Gabe is upset because he doesn’t know who his parents are and he doesn’t know where to find them. Against his owner’s wishes, Gabe steps out into forbidden territory in search of them. Jadon finds out that Gabe is missing. Jadon knows that Gracie and Dusty will be heartsick when they discover that Gabe is gone so he leaves home with the hope of saving the day by bringing Gabe back home. Jadon soon finds himself lost, hungry, and in danger of the many obstacles that stand between him and his buddy. Everyone is looking for them. The big question is who will find them first, a pack of starving coyotes, a blood thirsty bob cat, or their family? Will they call on God for His help?

Get your signed copy today!

Introductory Saleprice of just $6.00 plus $3.00 S/H

Save even more, get $2.00 off the total price when you buy the two book set! Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses, (regular price $6.99 plus $3.00 S/H) plus Missing in Action, (introductory price $6.00 plus $3.00 S/H)

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Bryan Police Department encourages safety and supervision during the annual Trick-or-Treat season. Most Trick-or-Treaters will be out this Sunday evening October 31st. It is especially important for parents to adhere to a few safety rules for their children when they are trick-or-treating.
- Know your treaters route.
- Children should be accompanied by an adult. Older kids should stay in groups.
- Take a flashlight and/or a chemical glow stick to be more visible.
- Be sure costumes, shoes, and treat bags are safe.
- Trick-or-Treat at homes you know.
- Remind kids not to enter strangers' homes or cars.
- Set rules about not eating treats until kids get home. Be sure to inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them.
- Never cross the street from between parked cars.
- Watch open flames from jack-o-lanterns as they can catch costumes and long wigs to catch on fire.
- Make sure that fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or worse, have them mistaken for the real thing!
It is also important to ensure that your home is safe and accessible to trick-or-treaters. As adults there are some very simple things we can do to make the evening safe everyone.
- Turn on your porch light.
- Move lit jack-o-lanterns off the porch where kids get bunched up if they are trick-or-treating in groups.
- Consider using a flashlights or LED simulated candles instead of real candles.
- Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.
- If you don’t wish to give out candy and would still like to participate in Halloween, consider giving out stickers, trading cards, or similar items.
For adults who are celebrating, there are some things to consider when creating that "perfect" Halloween Costume.
- Make sure that any accessories, such as fake guns, knives, and other potentially dangerous items are not mistaken for the real thing.
- Fire safety and visibility are also important for adult costumes. Apply the same standards to adult costumes as you do to your children's.
- Remember adults that are dressed up can be pretty scary to young children.
Most of all, MOVING VEHICLES, can pose to be one of the biggest hazards to trick-or-treaters. Drivers have a hard time seeing people, especially at dusk and in dark costumes. To ensure the safety of all trick-or-treaters, young and old, be sure to drive slowly all evening, you never know what creature may suddenly cross your path.
Above all, make this Halloween a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you are not comfortable allowing your kids to trick-or-treat in the neighborhoods, there will be plenty controlled environments where families can go to enjoy the festivities. Check your local neighborhoods, businesses, and churches for these controlled activities.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Hey,
I just posted a super kid-friendly recipe for a yummy twist to hot cocoa.(A good idea for mother's day 2)
Check it out! Also remember on the school day's your kids could still use a good read. Most schools encourage children to read there own books through out the year.
Peace,
Brittany :) :P :O
check us out on twitter
search for the user name jadongabe

Monday, August 9, 2010

Gabe steps out into forbidden territory in search of his parents. He finds himself lost, hungry and at risk of being dinner. There are dangers lurking in the shadows surrounding his every move.

Jadon, his pasture buddy, goes in search for Gabe. He hopes to spare their family the disappointment, they are sure to experience, if they discover Gabe missing. In order to reach his goal, he first has to get passed many obstacles that lie between him and his buddy, including Bob.

Will Jadon and Gabe be safely reunited with their family or lost forever? Find out for yourself!

A Christian Children's Book, Missing in Action:A Sequel to Jadon and Gabe:The Not so Saintly Horses, by Barbara Janet Cooper and co-authored by Brittany Jean Schonert, will be available soon!

Friday, July 16, 2010

As some of you may know, Brittany and I had our first Book Signing on Tuesday at the Larry J. Ringer Library, in College Station. This was also the first for this library to hold a book signing. Peggy and Debbie were so wonderful with making us feel welcome and putting us at ease. We just can't thank them enough. I was excited to see how many young people had questions about writing and publishing.

A reporter from our local newspaper surprised us with a visit during the book signing. Of course being a proud Grandma, I went out the next day and bought several copies of the newspaper containing "the story."

Richard Bradford, author of "Seventh Earth" held a writing workshop, for children, also on Tuesday. Brittany gave a presentation on writing, also a first for her. She did a great job.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Most of us enjoy watching a great firework display while we celebrate the Fourth of July. What about our animals? Do they enjoy it as well, or are they extremely frightened by the loud booming noise?

If horses could read a calendar, some would be suffering nervous anticipation of the big booms that will soon fill their space. The bomb-proof horses could care less. But for some it is no fun at all and their being frightened can cause them to be a danger to themselves and those around them. Do you know how your horse will react if your neighbor shoots off fireworks?

To be on the side of safety, we always stayed at home on the 4th. Jadon and Gabe and the other horses were in their stalls. The lights would be on in the barn. The radio in the barn would play soothing music turned up loud to help block out some of the noise. Our horses also enjoyed us visiting with them when we told them, "it's o.k., it will be over soon."

So, what will you be doing to help your horses, dogs, cats, goats and etc. enjoy their Fourth of July?

Friday, July 2, 2010

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Hey! It's me, Brittany Jean, the co-author ofJadon And Gabe: The Not So Saintly Horses.Happy to see ya, glad to meet ya! I think we should start making up some cool new stuff to put on the blog, so just as a fun little game I want to ask you a question. If you could do anything what would you do?*Be original. Leave us a comment. It is interesting what some of you might put down. So it's your challenge to answer this question. Put it in a story, essay, or just a simple i would ------. Thank you for reading.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,Friendship without envy,Or beauty without vanity?Here, where grace is served with muscleAnd strength by gentleness confinedHe serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent.There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient. ~Ronald Duncan, "The Horse," 1954

Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses was written by two Texans: Barbara Janet Cooper and her granddaughter Brittany Jean Schonert, who live in College Station.

Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses is the first in the Jadon and Gabe series, and features the adorable miniature horse Jadon as the narrator.

This story is about how two horses with opposite personalities meet; and how against all odds they become friends and learn to live together in peace.

As they face tough life problems, they are directed to look to God for direction. In return, they master the skill of manners and respect for others.

This book offers enlightenment as it inspires children to reach for higher values; to seek the higher road in their own lives as they learn a variety of spiritual lessons thoughout the engaging and very entertaining stories. Each new adventure of challenge played out in this book opens up opportunities for discussion between parent or caregiver and child.

Come along on their journey as they embark on a path, finding a life, which is truly pleasing to their humans and to God. Great family read. --Author notes

Barbara and Brittany (Used with permission)

Bio

I am a mother, grandmother and published author of several books. I have lived in Texas for the past 35 years close to family and friends. My co-author, Brittany, who is also my granddaughter, was born in Texas."

Interview with Barbara Janet Cooper

Examiner: How long have your been writing?

Barbara Janet Cooper: I stared writing when I was a child. I published my first book three years ago.

Examiner: What made you decide to become a self-publisher?

Barbara Janet Cooper: I like the idea of being able to tell my story in my words, not someone else's words.

Examiner: How long have you been self-publishing your work?

Barbara Janet Cooper: Three years.

Examiner: How many books have you written?

Barbara Janet Cooper: I have published three books so far. The Other Surviver: Head Injury From a Wife's Perspective; Upside down and Back Again: and Hope for the Caregiver, all of which can be found at wordsofhopeforcaregivers.com and also on amazon.com.

I have another book for caregivers in the works, which will be a study guide for caregivers.

Brittany and I are working on the second in the Jadon and Gabe series, Missing in Action, which we hope to have out this summer.

I have also been working on a novel for the last few years, The Attic on Lockwood Avenue.

Examiner: Are you looking for an agent or publisher?

Barbara Janet Cooper: No, I'm not looking but if one finds me, we can talk about it.

Examiner: What is the hardest part about being a self-publisher?

Barbara Janet Cooper: The amount of time that it takes to promote takes away from the time to write.

Examiner: Can you tell us some other interesting things about yourself ?

Barbara Janet Cooper: A portion of the proceeds from my books is donated to the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns. Also our local library has asked my granddaughter to give a talk at a summer reading workshop in July. We will be offering our book, Jadon and Gabe, for sale at this event.

Brittany Jean Schonert (Used with permission)

About Brittany

(Pictures and information posted with permission.)

The Larry J. Ringer Public Library in College Station, Texas will be holding a Summer Reading Program on Tuesday, July 13, from 9 am to 11 am. Another local author, Richard Bradford, will be presenting writing workshops for children ages 6-8.

Brittany will be giving a presentation on writing and talking about the book she wrote with her grandmother: Jadon and Gabe, at this event. She will also help out with the writing workshop.

Brittany has won three story contests with a local newspaper in College Station.

She is an A student in fifth grade, and hopes to attend Texas A & M University upon graduation from high school. She plans to pursue a career as an attorney-at-law.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing author Barbara Janet Cooper about her latest book, Jadon and Gabe: The Not So Saintly Horses.

I enjoyed reading it and wrote a review:This enchanting book for children and families alike is written from a horse's point of view. It is illustrated with sweet pictures throughout. If you're looking for a book that will both entertain your child and teach worthwhile life lessons and good values at the same time, this is the book. Books like this are difficult to find these days. This one is a treasure for sure. The engaging chapters flow together with ease and many valuable life lessons are woven through the delightful and entertaining text.

Jadon and Gabe: The Not So Saintly Miniature Horses contains a spiritual element as well, while we watch the two horses look to God for direction and help as they navigate their lives through the challenges and the joys that beset them. Each new adventure or challenge played out in this book opens up opportunities for discussion between parent or caregiver and child. I highly recommend this wholesome and delightful book for your family!

Thank you very much for this interview, Barbara. Your newest book: Jadon and Gabe: The Not So Saintly Horses is a sweet children's story of adventure and seeking God for help as told from a horse's perspective. I really enjoyed reading it. Can you tell us why you decided to use Miniature horses to tell the story?We always had at least one horse as part of our family since my children were very young.

In the early 80’s, we met and became friends with Sister Bernadette Muller. The Poor Claire Nuns, in Brenham, Texas raise miniature horses and Sister Bernadette introduced us to our very first mini. Although Sister Bernadette has since passed on, the sisters still raise the miniatures for their livelihood.

After a while we had a small herd - not all from The Monastery. They were not related to each other. I loved to sit in the barn or out near the pasture and just watch, for hours on end, these wonderful little horses interact with each other. Each horse has their own personality, but each horse, has the same goal as the other, which is pleasing their Master. Just like our human children, they may forget their manners from time to time, but their mothers, will help to lead them back on the right path.

When I decided to write this book, it felt it only natural to allow Jadon and Gabe, to tell their story and share their perspective on life.

What age range do you think your book will serve best?

I feel that Jadon and Gabe is a book that the whole family will enjoy.

Can you tell us about the writing process for this book? I understand that you have a co-author.Yes, I do have a co-author, my ten year old grand-daughter, Brittany Jean. At the age of nine, she has won three story contests which were published, in our local newspaper. She also won a blue ribbon at a horse show when she was just three years old.

I feel blessed to have her as a co-author and the reader will receive the perspective of one of their peers.

That’s really wonderful. I’m sure it’s a blessing working with your grand-daughter on your book projects. What are your hopes for this book?My hopes are that, Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses, will not only entertain, but also encourage the reader to reach higher in their efforts in settings a good example for their peers. I also hope that the words of Jadon and Gabe will remind the reader that it is much better to please God than to succumb to peer pressure.

Can you tell us about the illustrations?

Yes, Brittany Jean drew all the illustrations for this book. It is her way of introducing the characters to our readers. Her illustrations also help to tell the story. The cover of the book is an image of the real Jadon and Gabe, Jadon being the smaller of the two.

That’s very interesting. Do you have any plans for future books?Yes, we do! Thank you for asking. Brittany and I are working, at the moment, on the 2nd in the series of the Jadon and Gabe books. I don’t want to give too much away. I can tell you that they will learn the hard way, that God gives us parents, to protect us from the evils of the world.

Jadon and Gabe: Missing in Action, will be available, late summer of 2010.

Well, I will certainly be looking forward to the next in the series. Finally, where can we purchase your book?

If ordering a signed copy, you may send a check or money order, in the amount of $7.00 plus $3.95 S/H to: B.J. Cooper-Schonert, P.O. Box 9077, College Station, Texas 77842

Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses is also available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Also on my website at, http://wordsfromthehayloft.blogspot.com

Thank you very much for this interview, Barbara! Have fun writing the next Jadon and Gabe book. May God bless you and your whole family!

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the levees broke, many who were forced to leave without their pets endured long searches to find animals that had been ferried to safety without them. You'd think that finding that their pets were alive and well after the storm would be pure joy, but for some, it was more complicated.

The recently released documentary Mine tells the stories of people who found their pets in new homes, with rescuers or adopters who didn't want to give them back.

"A lot of the people that I met just didn't know what they could do," says filmmaker Geralyn Pezanoski. "Their animals were out of state, they didn't have the resources."

But a few, with the help of good Samaritans as well as lawyers, fought to get their dogs back -- sometimes for years. One subject of the film, Jesse Pullins, was reunited with his dog J.J. only this past June, nearly four years after the hurricane.

Katrina may have been a one-time event, but it doesn't take a natural disaster to set up a conflict over ownership of a beloved animal. It can happen to anyone who is part of a couple, as Doreen Houseman of Williamstown, New Jersey found.

After their relationship of over a dozen years ended, she and her ex managed to share their pug, Dexter, at first. Then one day, her ex said he wasn't bringing Dexter back to her again. "It felt like someone told me my best friend died," she says, and the next day, "I woke up hoping it was a nightmare, but it wasn't."

At first, a judge refused to hear a case for enforcing the sharing arrangement. Instead, he awarded monetary compensation for Dexter and for other property that had not been divided.

Splitting the value of a house or car makes sense to most of us, but a dog? While we feel very differently about our pets, they are property in the eyes of the law, says Joyce Tischler, founder and general counsel of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which has filed briefs in many similar cases.

"Judges can decide these cases very simply by awarding the animal to the person who appears to be the owner," she says. Factors considered include who pays the vet bills and walks the dog most of the time.

However, legal arguments can also be based on the existence of other laws that treat animals quite differently.

"Every state has an anti-cruelty law," says Tischler. "There isn't any anti-cruelty law for my rug or my toaster. The law recognizes that animals need special protection."

Under current law, then, what a lawyer can argue is that animals are a special kind of unique and irreplaceable property, and in Houseman's case, the New Jersey appellate court agreed. Such property, like an antique or a valuable painting, is treated differently under the law, so the case was sent back to the original judge for a new decision. He ordered shared possession of Dexter, five weeks at a time each.

Like the cases in Pezanoski's film, Houseman's fight was a long one, lasting two and a half years.

"What's really interesting is how important pets are to people and how far people will go," the filmmaker says, even though not everyone sympathizes. A lot of the resistance that her subjects encountered, says Pezanoski, was "people who asked, why don't you just get another dog?"

In fact, Houseman did just that when a co-worker knew of a pug that was looking for a home around the time of the first trial. But, says Houseman, "Getting her was in no way to replace Dexter, it was to comfort me." The two are completely different personalities, she says: "She's a little firecracker. He's very laid back."

The law is slowly catching up to our feelings about the uniqueness of our pets, says Gina Calogero, Houseman's lawyer. The New Jersey case continues a trend set by decisions in a handful of other states, and helps set precedent that can be used where courts have not yet considered the issue.

"I do think this was a good case," says Adam Karp, who practices animal law in Bellingham, Wash. "You had a court saying, dogs are unique, face time with a dog can't be cashed out."

Such precedent is valuable because lawyers see these cases increasing.

"Ten years ago I would have been laughed out of the courtroom," Calogero says. "Now in the last five years it's accelerating, and it's being taken seriously."

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

If you would like to win a free copy of my latest book, Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses, enter your entry below by leaving a comment.

All entries will be put into a drawing and a winner will be chosen on Feb. 14th, Valentine's Day. I will post the winner's name on Feb. 15th at which time, the winner will email me their mailing address to receive their free signed copy of "Jadon and Gabe: The Not so Saintly Horses."

Welcome

Glad you stopped in for a visit! Sit back, relax, put your feet up for a spell, WAIT--if you just came in from the barn, you might want to check the bottom of your boots first. Just kidding, I know you left them out on the porch for the dog to drag off. Well you can look for your boots in the morning.Enjoy your visit and please come back often as I add new items.Have a Blessed Day and remember to hug your horse. They need love too!

Barbara

Order Here

By Donna M. Cooper Oboyle Format:Paperback This enchanting book for children and families alike is written from a horse's point of view. It is illustrated with sweet pictures throughout. If you're looking for a book that will both entertain your child and teach worthwhile life lessons and good values at the same time, this is the book. Books like this are difficult to find these days. This one is a treasure for sure. The engaging chapters flow together with ease and many valuable life lessons are woven through the delightful and entertaining text.

Missing in Action

What a fun story. This short chapter book with enchanting illustrations is a must read for all families. Older children will treasure it as their very own book, and younger children will be fascinated to hear it read to them. Jadon and Gabe: Missing in Action is the story of a pair of miniature horses ,the wise elder, Jadon and his new, young and impulsive friend Gabe. As friends sometimes do they have a misunderstanding. Jadon leaves his happy farm to seek his young friend. He thinks Gabe has run away but ends up on an adventure fraught with peril. Take a journey with Jadon face danger and confusion to be enfolded in the love of family.

About Me

Ms Cooper writes both fiction and non-fiction books.
She began writing stories at the age of eleven.
Barbara and her thirteen year old brother set the stage for their spooky adventures by writing in the attic among the eerie sounds around them.
The Attic on Lockwood Avenue was started in the attic in the 1950's. Now over fifty years later it will come to completion.
Her first non-fiction book The Other Survivor:Head Injury From a Wife's Perspective came about after Barbara became a caregiver to her husband that suffered from a head injury. Followed after that, Upside Down and Back Again.
Time to lighten it up...Barbara got together with her grand-daughter and wrote two family books...Jadon and Gabe:The Not so Saintly Horses and a sequel, Missing in Action.
Barbara is a mother, a grandmother, a caregiver, a cancer survivor, and a published author. She lives in Texas next to her family and friends. She can be reached at her website. www.wordsofhopeforcaregivers.com